Aussie in Red Bull Series.

[Stephen Brown]

Looks like we'll have some local interest in next years RBAR.

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/5150467/exraaf-pilot-turns-air-racing

[Nathan Long]

There isn't one next year. The next one in Perth will be in 2010.

[Mick F]

There's still a series next year though Nathan, ;).

Mick

[Nathan Long]

True. :o

[Rhys Xanthis]

Old news, but its good to have an aussie potentially being in the RBAR.

He's not got a race seat yet!

[Grant Smith]

Old news, but its good to have an aussie potentially being in the RBAR.

He's not got a race seat yet!

Yes Rhys, so old in fact... This story was (funnily enough) only posted today... Very old news indeed...

:rolleyes:

[Mick.B]

He is in Ryys :p

Well done Matty

Aussie ace to fly in Red Bull air race series
17th November 2008, 12:15 WST

In 2003, RAAF fighter pilot Matt Hall was dodging missiles while flying combat missions in Iraq.

Next year, the New South Welshman will weave his plane through inflatable pylons a low altitude after becoming the first Australian to gain entry to the Red Bull air race world championships.

“I was actually on exchange living in America flying with the United States air force at the time when they deployed (to Iraq) and I went with them,” Hall said.

“It was quite bizarre because I was still an Australian fighter pilot being paid by the Australian government but flying American fighters in Iraq.

“It’s a lot of mixed emotions and memories about that whole event.

“I had some things shot at me and some of my friends didn’t make it home, so it was an emotional and frightening time that’s for sure.”

Hall, who will end a 17-year stint with the Australian air force in January, said he would use his rookie season in the air race series to set himself up for a tilt at the title in 2010.

But first the 37-year-old needs to raise more than a million dollars to get his dream off the ground.

Hall said the weaker Australian dollar meant he would have to fork out anywhere between $600,000-$700,000 for an aircraft that last July would have cost him just over $400,000.

Surprisingly, there’s no prize money on offer in the air race championships, with pilots earning their keep through sponsorship deals.

“I’ve already spent a great deal of money on flying,” Hall said.

“I fly for a job but then I go and spend all the money they give me on flying.

“I don’t count the pennies I spend on flying because it’s a lifestyle for me.”

Hall will join Canadian Pete McLeod, German Matthias Dolderer and Japanese contender Yoshi Muroya as new faces in next year’s championships, which starts in April.

[Chris Griffiths]

Yes Rhys, so old in fact... This story was (funnily enough) only posted today... Very old news indeed...
:rolleyes:

Quite old, just because Yahoo7 Sports were having a slow news day.. or are just plain slow.

It was news when he did the testing in Spain then again when RBAR was on in Perth

[Stephen Brown]

Old news, but its good to have an aussie potentially being in the RBAR.

He's not got a race seat yet!

Actually he does..

A former RAAF fighter pilot who flew combat operations in Iraq will become the first Australian to fly in the Red Bull Air Race.

NSW man Matt Hall obtained his super licence in Spain in September and now has all the qualifications needed to compete in future races which are held around the world and in Perth.

[Chris Griffiths]

Actually he does..

Not quite...
There were 5 pilots that received RBAR Super Licences at the qualification camp in Spain, I do not believe there is a decision which of them(if any) will get a race seat in 2009.

Cheers

[Stephen Brown]

This statement makes me think otherwise...

Hall, who will end a 17-year stint with the Australian air force in January, said he would use his rookie season in the air race series to set himself up for a tilt at the title in 2010.

[Andrew McLaughlin]

The series is being expanded from 12 pilots to 15 next year. There were five pilots vying for the three places, and Hallie was successful.

[Mick.B]

Guys Ive been in chatting with him. He`s in.

[Rhys Xanthis]

Guys Ive been in chatting with him. He`s in.

Cool!

The article wasnt very clear to me, and i took it as meaning that he got his super liscence, which was old news (see http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,,24430059-5005401,00.html).

Hopefully he can get the funding for a plane, and it will be great to see an aussie!

[Stephen Brown]

A Video interview with Matt Hall

http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2008/11/18/top-gun-pilot-prepares-to-turn-life-upside-down/